This study utilizes content analysis to compare and contrast the female protagonists in award-winning contemporary adolescent fiction. R. J. Havighurst's developmental tasks are discussed in reference to diverse female protagonists from approved school reading lists in Montgomery County, Maryland. Sara, from "Summer of the Swans" (Byars, 1970) and Dicey from "Dicey's Song" (Voight, 1982) are analyzed in attempt or achievement of these tasks. The study concludes that there is a lack of strong, positive female protagonists in adolescent literature. Because of the impact of reading on adolescents, teachers should incorporate more novels featuring strong female role models for reading by both males and females. (Three tables of data are included, and 17 refernces are attached.) (Author)